The Citaro sets the standard for environmental awareness, economy, safety and comfort, and as a test vehicle it reveals the major contribution that state-of-the-art, superb-quality buses can make to urban public transport today. The three-door rigid bus with vertically mounted engine offers a unique mix of features, from compliance with the Euro VI exhaust emissions standard to the ESP electronic stability program.

Drivetrain: clean, powerful and economical

This Citaro is powered with the new OM 936 in-line six-cylinder engine with displacement of 7.7 litres, a power rating of 220 kW (299 hp) and a maximum torque of 1200 Nm. It already meets the Euro VI exhaust emissions standard. Power is transferred by the ZF Ecolife six-speed automatic transmission system. The highest-torque engine is an ideal match for the standard rear axle ratio of i=5.77. This is almost ten percent longer than in the Citaro with the previous engine, which lowers engine speed and therefore fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and noise levels.

Recuperation module saves fuel

The outstanding fuel economy of the new Citaro will be based on the recuperation module (24 volts). The process for achieving fuel savings in the regular-service bus is as follows: the free electricity generated during the overrun phase is stored and used to operate the vehicle’s electrical accessories. This reduces the load on the drivetrain and lowers fuel consumption.

The energy storage function is performed by “supercaps”, double-layer capacitors with a power rating of 6 kW and a capacitance of 1 Ah. This process alone reduces the Citaro’s fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by more than two percent.

Safety: ESP, bi-xenon lights and much more besides

The Citaro also offers an exemplary level of safety. The vehicle is fitted with the ESP electronic stability program, the only low-floor bus to have this feature. The ESP package also includes acceleration skid control. The Citaro chassis combines attributes of comfort and safety, with individual wheel suspension on the front axle, anti-roll bars on both axles, and electronically operated level control. The integrated roll-and-pitch control system (another equipment option) limits bodywork movements while the vehicle is under way and increases passenger comfort. By enhancing the distribution of the vehicle load, it also reduces the stress on the carriageway surface.

Other unique features of the bus include the lighting system with bi-xenon headlamps, fog lamps with integrated cornering light function and LED daytime running lamps – plus a headlamp wash and wipe system. All-round visibility is also enhanced with electrically operated and heated exterior mirrors and a reversing camera.

The vehicle also has a video system to cater for a rather different aspect of safety: a camera by door 1 monitors the cash register and entrance area, and another placed at door 2 provides surveillance of the passenger compartment to the front and rear of that point. The monitor is a 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) screen with switch controls operated from the driver workstation. The usual interior mirrors also give the driver a view of the passenger compartment. The door into the driver’s compartment closes flush with the front end partition, and has an electromagnetic locking system. The partition screen extends over half the door width, creating a sense of separation and distance, and also contributing to an even temperature in the driver’s cab.

LED entrance lights are placed under the hem section at all three doors to help passengers boarding the vehicle in dark conditions.

And if the worst should happen, along with the fire alarm system provided as standard equipment, there is an automatic fire extinguisher system fitted in the engine compartment.

Functionality: driver and service-friendly

Functionality is a key priority in the test vehicle. The segmented side panelling with easily replaced components simplifies repairs of minor damage. Electrically operated pivot-and-slide doors at all three entrances open and close rapidly, and remain securely shut when closed. The electrically operated cassette ramp under the vehicle floor at door 2 provides easier access for scooter and wheelchair users, and also for prams. The driver’s life is also made easier by the sensors placed on the ramp step mat and detection devices on the step edge. A strip of yellow blinking LED lamps on the front edge of the ramp and LED light strips under all the door entrances illuminate the road surface and make boarding the bus easier and safer. The roof hatches are electrically operated.

Comfort: enhancements for driver and passengers

The comfort story starts in the driver’s workstation at the front left of the bus, which is air-conditioned and fitted with a refrigeration box, mug holder and several stowage compartments.

The seating in the passenger compartment comprises the highly functional City Star Eco seats, manufactured in-house, a folding seat with a wheelchair parking surface in the priority area opposite door 2. The cushions and backs of the seats are upholstered in “La Plata” fabric. The passenger compartment is air-conditioned with blower heaters, a roof-top air-conditioning unit and an additional heater device. A new feature is ambient lighting, based on power-saving, long-life LED technology, above each row of seats and the standing section. The anthracite-coloured needle felt inside wall side panelling adds a touch of home comfort, and also helps to damp noise levels.

Visual appearance: brilliant silver finish

The Citaro is painted metallic brilliant silver, and the same finish is used on the bumpers and mounted parts such as the air-conditioning system cover panel, turbo roof fans and backs of the outside mirrors.

LED light strips below door entrances illuminating the road surface or the ground by the bus stop

Cassette ramp, electrically operated

Pivot-and-slide doors, electrically operated

Electrically operated, heated outside mirror

Video surveillance of interior

Fire extinguisher system in engine compartment

Electrically driver cab door, partition screen over half door width

Refrigerator box in driver’s workstation

Driver station air conditioning

Passenger compartment air conditioning

Electrically operated roof hatches

City Star Eco seats

Mobitec destination display

Gorba passenger information system

Ambient lighting in passenger compartment

LED ceiling lights with additional night lighting (blue)

Needle felt side wall panelling

Mercedes-Benz Citaro G: the test vehicle in detail

Drivetrain: clean, light and powerful

Safety: tyre pressure monitoring outside, video cameras inside

Functionality: outstanding driver and service-friendly characteristics of the Citaro G

Comfort: enhancements for driver and passengers

The Citaro G is the ideal large-capacity bus for routes with high passenger volumes. With the powerful new OM 470 engine, meeting the Euro VI exhaust emissions standard, the vehicle is even more environmentally friendly and economical, and the level of safety and comfort is also even better than before. The three-door with vertically-mounted engine also provides exemplary functionality.

Drivetrain: clean, light and powerful

The Citaro G is powered by the new in-line six-cylinder OM 470 engine, with 10.7-l displacement, a power rating of 265 kW (360 hp) and maximum torque of 1700 Nm. The engine already meets the Euro VI exhaust emissions standard. In spite of its compact size, the weight-optimised engine of the Citaro G is more powerful than its proven predecessor in all engine speed ranges.

Power is transferred by the ZF Ecolife six-speed automatic transmission system. The final drive ratio of i=6.22 is ideal for the gross vehicle weight rating of 28 tonnes and the extremely high-torque engine. Impressive torque even at low engine speeds ensures excellent acceleration and early upshifts.

Safety: tyre pressure monitoring outside, video cameras inside

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro G chassis provides an outstanding mix of comfort and safety, based on individual wheel suspension on the front axle. Anti-roll bars on the front and rear axles limit roll movements. The electronically controlled articulation limiter and acceleration skid control system ensure active safety in all normal driving situations. An electronically operated level control system keeps the body reliably balanced. Another useful safety function is the new tyre pressure monitoring system, with individual readings for all ten tyres. Maintaining the correct tyre pressure increases service life and reduces fuel consumption.

Powerful halogen-H7 headlamps, fog lamps and LED daytime running lamps ensure the vehicle can “see” and be seen at all times. The generous dimensions of an articulated bus highlight the importance of electrically adjustable and heated outside mirrors.

Given that the driver has only limited ability to keep an eye on the large passenger compartment in the vehicle, the test vehicle is equipped with an extensive video surveillance system. Cameras monitor the cash register and entrance area at door 1, the interior from the cross duct and back from door 2, the rear section back from the articulation point, and the rear section looking forwards. The driver can switch between views as desired on a 6.5-inch (16.5-cm) monitor. The bus also has the familiar inside mirrors and a reversing aid with display on the A-column.

The door into the driver’s cab is electromagnetically locked, and separated from the passenger compartment by a partition screen extending over half the door width.

An automatic fire extinguisher system in the engine compartment reduces any risk of a fire.

Functionality: outstanding driver and service-friendly characteristics of the Citaro G

Passengers board the bus through three pneumatically operated inward-opening doors. A manually operated folding ramp is available for mobility-impaired passengers at door 2.

Functionality is a key consideration in the Citaro G. For example, the instrument panel has two fittings for mounting auxiliary devices. Electrically operated roof hatches are provided as a matter of course, along with an outside loudspeaker system in the test vehicle for the effective communication of messages. The interior lighting is based on economical and long-life LED lights.

Comfort: enhancements for driver and passengers

The transparent accordion section with window openings gives the Citaro G passenger compartment an even more friendly and open look. The same goes for the wood finish on the floor, in “Gaya Wood Dark Brown”. The anthracite-colour needle felt inside wall panelling also adds a touch of home comfort.

The seating in the passenger compartment comprises City Star Eco seats, manufactured in-house, upholstered in La Plata fabric. The test vehicle also has eight back-to-back seats over the middle axle.

In the priority area on the left side at the level of door 2, there is space for a support surface for a wheelchair facing against the direction of travel and a total of three folding seats. The passenger compartment is air-conditioned with blower heaters, a roof-top air-conditioning unit and an auxiliary heater. Along with the roof duct ventilation system, the test vehicle also has ventilation for the articulation area.

The driver’s station is air-conditioned. A refrigerator box, mug holder and several stowage compartments are also provided to the driver’s life easier.

Visual appearance: classy anthracite metallic look

The anthracite metallic paint finish on the articulated bus underpins the vehicle’s superior quality image. The mounted parts are also painted in this colour, except the backs of the mirrors, which are painted grey.